Affordability Estimate

How big a business could you buy?

Enter your personal financial position. This estimates the largest enterprise value an SBA 7(a) loan could support against it, using standard equity-injection and debt-service rules. Every number updates as you type. Rough estimates only, not a loan pre-qualification.

Your Assets

Current cash and checking account balances.

IRA / 401(k) balances. Usable through a ROBS rollover without early-withdrawal penalty.

Non-retirement brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds.

Current market value of real estate you own.

Your Liabilities

Deal Assumptions

Most sub-$1.5M service businesses price around 2.5–3.5× SDE, meaning SDE runs roughly 28–40% of price. Lower this if you're targeting a business priced on a richer multiple.

Lower is more aggressive underwriting, higher is more conservative. Most SBA lenders land somewhere between 1.15× and 1.5×.

What This Suggests

Usable net worth (weighted for liquidity)
Max enterprise value supportable
Estimated SBA loan at that price
Your required equity injection

Year-One Owner Draw, By Involvement

Absentee (a GM runs it)
Semi-absentee (limited hands-on)
Owner-operator (full-time)

Rough, conservative estimate only. Assumes cash 100%, retirement 90%, stocks 70%, real estate 60% usable toward an equity injection, net of all liabilities. Not financial or investment advice, and not a loan pre-qualification. Confirm real numbers with an SBA lender before making any decision.

Next Step

Want a real read on a specific business?

Send us your numbers and the business you have in mind, and we'll follow up directly.

We only use this to follow up about a possible deal. No spam.